NNA - A small volcanic eruption at a popular Japanese resort not
far from Tokyo on Tuesday prompted authorities to further restrict
access to the area, warning of the chance of more eruptions, but there
were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The Japan
Meteorological Agency confirmed that volcanic ash was emitted from a
valley on Mount Hakone, known for its hot springs, which has been
belching out unusual amounts of steam in recent months. "There has
been some ash detected near the area of a new steam vent on the
mountain," an official at Japan's Meteorological Agency told a
news conference. The agency raised the warning level on the mountain to
3 from 2, which expands restrictions on access to a broader area.
"It was an extremely small scale eruption, but there is the chance
of a larger one that could affect a wider area," the official said.
Hakone is a resort area about 80 km (50 miles) west of Tokyo known for
its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. More than 21 million people
visited in 2014, according to the Hakone town website. Japan, one of the
most seismically active areas on earth, has seen an upturn in
earthquakes and small volcanic eruptions over the past several months,
including an eruption in late May that required the evacuation of a
small island in southern Japan. Last September, 63 people were killed
when a volcano in central Japan erupted suddenly while the peak was
crowded with hikers, the country's worst eruption in nearly 90
years.--REUTERS =============A.A.M

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